The Fire Within

Traitor

Night had fallen upon the Vale and the trio was nowhere closer to determining a plan of action. 

"I say we storm in, take the castle by force and save her before she even gets anywhere near him," Alex shot, rubbing a hand down his face. Mason, who was sitting across from him shook his head.

"We need to attend the Rite, dressed as the attendants. Then we can get close enough to harm him without being dnnetected." Mason countered as Papa watched them from the mantle. 

"Mason is right. If Cardinal Copia thinks for a moment that she is compromised I wouldn't put it past him to kill her as soon as we are noticed." Papa said, worry painting his voice. 

"So how do we plan to actually take him down? He's got Cosette's sister-"

"Delphine" Mason interrupted, Alex waving him off.

"And hundreds of Ghouls that will jump to protect him at a moments notice." 

"We will just have to be quick enough. Perhaps I can provide a distraction while you find a way to disarm him," Papa said, eagerly looking at Alex. Mason had a sudden pang of jealousy when seeing their scheming and sighed.

"Ugh," he muttered, taking a sip of the glass in front if him. He looked at the fire, noting their attention that was now on him.

"Sorry, I just cannot get her screams out of my head. The way she cried out when those creatures carried her off. I should have done more." Mason said mournfully, standing and going to the mantle where Papa put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. 

"I know, son. But you have already done so much for us. We are eternally grateful for your service to the Vale. I know your mother is proud." Mason sighed dramatically as Alex's brow furrowed. He replayed Mason's comment in his mind, recalling the recount he had given him at the church. 

"Mason," he started as Mason turned to meet his eyes. 

"You said Cirice screamed?" Alex clarified, watching him. Mason, clearly enchanted by the attention nodded, not realizing what he was about to walk into. 

"Yes. It was awful." he replied, shuddering. 

"That's odd, because at the church you told me she was passed out right after you arrived. How could she be screaming if she wasn't concious?" Alex short, standing and eyeing him. Mason shook his head. 

"Did I say that? I might have, I hit my head pretty hard fighting them," he countered, giving Papa a pleading look. 

"Funny the only injury you had was to your head. A fight with a gargoyle would come out much more deadly." Alex said, approaching him. Mason recoiled into the mantle as Alex's hands clenched into fists. Faint sparks flickered across his knuckles.

"How is this helping Cirice?" Mason shot back, eager to have the conversation off of him. 

"It isn't but neither is you lying to us!" Alex screamed, yanking Mason up by the collar and slamming him into the stone mantle. Fire he had been holding back flared up Mason's collar and onto his skin. Black smoke began to engulf him as he cried out and disappeared from Alex's hands. 

Alex looked about the room madly but soon there was nothing but silence. Papa fell into his chair, stunned. 

"It seems your plan worked, Alex. We had a traitor in our midst all along." Papa said, defeat in his voice. Alex sunk into the couch, scrubbing a hand down his face. 

"He'll be off to tell Cardinal Copia everything. Now we just have to decide which choice we take." Alex said mournfully, pinching the bridge of his nose. 

"Well one thing is for certain: we are getting my daughter back and we will burn anyone who dares try to stop us."